The Griffith Institute
Tutankhamun: Anatomy of an Excavation
The Howard Carter Archives
Photographs by Harry Burton
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Carter No.: 021

Handlist description: Painted wooden box

Card/Transcription No.: 021-02


2

Scene of battle with Negroes

Most of the figures of Negroes are painted a dark brownish red (red mixed with black). This is light enough to be outlined with black. Where the figures are painted black the red sketch lines show beyond the black in many places. The painter was at a loss to show the drawing of the features especially when full-face, so very summary touches of red or reddish yellow indicate eyes, lips etc. Sometimes these are so faint and overlaid with black as to be scarcely visible except in some lights. No outlines except white could of course show up against the black. Again the yellows are laid on very thickly and have granulated appearance. On the skirts the yellow is raised quite thickly above the green leaf-like pattern (note on necklaces on p.2). Is it possible that gold dust was mixed with the paint to give richness - on the ivory casket bracelets and other parts are overlaid with gold leaf and it may be gold was also used on the wooden box. No such treatment or texture of yellow paint is known to me in the tombs.

Hunting wild asses, ostriches, etc.

Actual size 1/3 6 1/4 x 19 1/2 to edge of chequer border. Burton's photo from which the painting is drawn 1/3 6" x 19" - There is a slight distortion top and bottom and on both sides since the cover is vaulted and this rather affects the legs of the animals at the base. The top has been corrected as there was space.

The lid has both ends above the king as a sphinx decorated similarly. The knob corresponding to the one below is also missing here.

Card no. 021-02 relating to Carter no. 021
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Tutankhamun: Anatomy of an Excavation
Concept & Direction: Jaromir Malek
Web Page & Database Designs: Jonathan Moffett
Scanning & transcript: Sue Hutchison, Elizabeth Miles, Diana Magee, Kent Rawlinson